Shin Min Chul’s mansion.

“…… Phew.”

As Yeon Woo let out a laugh while having dinner with his family, everyone at the table turned to look at him. Suddenly being the center of attention, Yeon Woo shrugged his shoulders in embarrassment.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

Their gazes followed what Yeon Woo had been looking at and laughing about.

His cell phone.

If he had been using it during the meal, it would have been rude, but the looks directed at him were all warm.

Among them, Chairman Shin called his grandson affectionately, his eyes curving into a smile.

“Yeon Woo, what’s so funny?”

“Ah…… It’s nothing.”

Yeon Woo glanced back down at his cell phone under the table.

The screen was filled with text messages he had exchanged with Ga Eul. Of course, there were no messages initiated by her, only the ones he had sent first, but she had replied to every single one without fail.

It seemed as if her personality came through even in her messages, and a smile unconsciously escaped his lips.

Embarrassed at being caught by his family while grinning like a fool, Yeon Woo felt awkward.

Looking up, he saw his grandfather still gazing at him warmly, so Yeon Woo discreetly asked.

“Grandfather.”

“Why are you calling me?”

“What do you think about having a granddaughter-in-law like Ga Eul?”

At Yeon Woo’s question, Chairman Shin’s eyes widened for a moment before a smile soon escaped his lips. As the daughter of his favorite painter, he naturally felt fondly towards her.

“I like her. But why are you suddenly bringing up Ga Eul while we’re eating?”

“Ah, that’s……”

“Don’t tell me, do you like Ga Eul?”

His grandfather knew Yeon Woo well. He interrupted Yeon Woo before he could even answer. There was a hint of excitement in his voice.

Seeing his grandfather getting ahead of himself, Yeon Woo laughed. As expected, he couldn’t fool his grandfather. Yeon Woo nodded his head.

“Yes, I like Ga Eul.”

“It would be more than wonderful to have Ga Eul join our family. So when are you going to bring her?”

He hadn’t even confessed or conveyed his feelings yet……

Why was he in such a rush to move things forward? Yeon Woo’s eyes curved as he showed a smile.

It wasn’t that Yeon Woo didn’t know how to confess his feelings.

He finally realized that it was possible to fall in love at first sight.

In case the saying “love at first sight” felt like a lie and caused aversion, he needed time.

It had been quite a while since he had slowly approached her and narrowed the distance to some extent. He had been thinking that it was about time to confess.

“It’s still far off. And when I do introduce Ga Eul, please don’t object.”

Chairman Shin burst into laughter that could shake the dining room.

“Why would I object? Bring her if you can.”

Yeon Woo nodded with a bright smile.

He should ask if they could meet tomorrow.

Yeon Woo’s hand reached for his cell phone again. However, a message from Ga Eul that had arrived in the meantime blocked his intention.

[I’m not feeling well…… I don’t think I can go out for a while.]

I see……

Yeon Woo’s eyes showed disappointment.

She said she’s sick…… It can’t be helped.

[Okay. Let’s meet when you’re all better.]

* * *

“You’re here early.”

“I told you I was just going to the gallery.”

With a flat tone, in contrast to his words, he brought the bottle of wine he had bought and pressed it against Ga Eul’s cheek, letting out a chuckle as he entered the studio apartment.

Startled by the sudden cold sensation, Ga Eul flinched and shrugged her shoulders. Her eyes then fell on the wine.

He handed the wine to Ga Eul and took a step.

Could he act familiar like before now……?

Ga Eul, who had been fiddling with the wine she received, spoke to him.

“It’s wine.”

“I bought it on the way here. Is that okay?”

“Yes, I like wine.”

It felt like they had returned to how they were before the fight.

Ga Eul, who had glanced at him as he passed by, secretly smiled. Satisfied with the conversation flowing smoothly, small laughs escaped her lips involuntarily.

As he ran his hand through his hair and loosened his tie, about to enter the bathroom, he turned around and spoke.

“Wait for me.”

“Yes.”

Ga Eul, who had been looking around while caressing the wine bottle she had received, approached the wine rack that caught her eye.

‘It should be fine to touch it……?’

Ga Eul, who had taken out two glasses hanging upside down, returned to the living room table.

With nothing more to prepare, she set them down and sat obediently on the sofa.

Compared to the main house, the well-organized apartment was spotless without a single thing out of place.

‘Who would have thought I’d be having a drink at the CEO’s studio apartment.’

Before long, the quiet studio apartment was filled with the sound of water rubbing against the bathroom tiles.

As Ga Eul waited meaninglessly for a moment, he soon emerged from the bathroom, his hair damp, and approached Ga Eul directly.

“What’s this? You brought out glasses.”

“Yes. I saw them and brought them. I touched them without permission… Is that alright?”

“You did well.”

Ga Eul, who was about to look up and smile brightly, darted her eyes back and forth.

Her gaze wandered for a moment, unable to find a place to settle.

The slight moisture that had flowed down from his not-yet-dry hair dampened his shoulder line, subtly revealing the shape of his body that was not visible. His exceptionally wide shoulders and firm arm muscles stood out noticeably through the comfortably worn t-shirt.

Her eyes kept being drawn to his arms holding the wine bottle. Feeling her face becoming inexplicably warm, Ga Eul turned her gaze back to the innocent table.

Then, he sat down next to her.

“…… What are you doing? Didn’t you say you wanted to drink first?”

The refreshing scent of body wash wafted strongly at the close distance they were sitting, stimulating her nose.

As Ga Eul’s expression stiffened for a moment, he, still mistaking her for being sick, placed his hand on her forehead again.

“Did your fever rise again? It had gone down earlier.”

“No. It’s nothing.”

“It’s bland.”

Taking out a wine opener from somewhere, he uncorked the wine with a chuckle. The sweet scent of grapes mixed together, making her dizzy.

The unfamiliar place and his disheveled appearance that she was seeing for the first time made her heart beat faster.

‘Ah, instead of this, I should tell him now.’

Shaking her head to get rid of unnecessary thoughts, Ga Eul slowly but steadily drained a full glass of deep red wine. Being weak to alcohol, heat rose in her body, and reality felt distant.

Under the gaze that seemed to be urging her to talk, Ga Eul cautiously opened her mouth.

“So, that man… He was an acquaintance of my father. …… It’s not enough to just call him an acquaintance, they were quite close. He often visited our house, and I still have vivid memories of playing with him when I was very young.”

Was the wine bitter, or was it her mouth that was bitter? Ga Eul, who let out a sad smile, stared blankly at the empty glass without a word. He considerately poured her another glass.

Maybe this was why people drank. Ga Eul took a few more sips as he offered and continued speaking.

“My father was scammed by that man. So he was suddenly burdened with debt, and before my mother and I knew about it, feeling guilty…… In his studio……”

Seeing Ga Eul’s wavering eyes, Gi Tae cut off her words. His gaze was resolute.

“I understand, that’s enough. Stop.”

“…… Yes.”

He poured more wine for her. As her glass emptied, his hand automatically refilled it. Ga Eul took the wine bottle from him.

“I’ll pour for you too. It feels like I’m the only one drinking.”

As Ga Eul poured for him, he also sipped the wine. She had just offered it to him on a whim, not wanting to be the only one getting drunk, but he readily drank it.

Whether he had originally intended to drink or was drinking because she had poured it for him, she couldn’t tell, but he matched her pace.

Seeing him sipping the wine, Ga Eul, with an unusual smirk instead of her usual bright smile, continued speaking.

“But that man came again, asking to borrow money. If he had made my father that way, he should have had the decency not to come asking for such a thing. …… It’s really too much.”

As Ga Eul’s eyes turned pitifully downcast, a large hand that had approached without her noticing patted her shoulder. The hand that gently rubbed in sync with her pulse, tap tap, somehow felt comforting.

“I was so angry that I tried to ignore him and just pass by, but he grabbed me and kept talking about money…… That’s how it happened.”

Ga Eul’s eyes, which had consumed alcohol in quick succession during that short moment, now swayed aimlessly. She thought tears would come out from talking about such a depressing topic, but although her mouth was bitter, her vision was spinning, and involuntary laughs kept escaping.

The sudden realization that the alcohol was like an injection seemed amusing.

Ga Eul’s body swayed slightly even while sitting. Her head accidentally touched his shoulder as he sat close to her. However, he didn’t push her away. He merely raised the glass in front of him and wet his throat.

Ga Eul’s eyes widened for a moment at the sudden contact with his shoulder, but she soon discreetly leaned against it. Seeing that he didn’t push her away, she somehow gained courage.

The heartbeat felt from his shoulder sounded like a pleasant lullaby, and Ga Eul let out small laughs. It was warm and cozy, and somehow, she felt good.

‘I’m glad I suggested drinking……’

Ga Eul slowly relaxed her body. As they remained silent for a while, he abruptly spoke.

“Yoon Ga Eul. Who are you working under right now?”

“What? Of course, it’s you, CEO.”

“Then whose words should you prioritize following?”

Ga Eul, who had slightly raised her head and looked at him with a puzzled expression, received a light flick on her forehead from his index finger as he scolded her.

“Don’t listen to your grandfather’s words and do strange things again. From now on, listen to my words well.”

“…… Yes. I understand.”

Ga Eul, who had been recalling their argument from a few days ago, obediently nodded her head.

Although her actions were in response to a request from the chairman, it was true that she had wronged him.

She had lied and blatantly avoided him.

Seeing Ga Eul readily agreeing, he chuckled and poured the remaining wine while speaking.

“If your grandfather says something strange again.”

Tapping the empty wine glass, he opened his mouth again after a long pause.

“Tell me.”

“…… Tell you?”

Ga Eul, who had widened her eyes for a moment and rolled them around, couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter. It didn’t seem like an expression that would come from his mouth.

Unable to contain the laughter that had escaped, Ga Eul took a deep breath, saying “Huh.” Then, she covered her mouth with both hands. It didn’t seem right to laugh while talking about his grandfather.

The alcohol was making her behavior exaggerated.

Glancing at Ga Eul, he let out a hollow laugh and spoke seriously.

“I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry.”

.

.

.

As the intoxicated Ga Eul pleaded for more drinks, another bottle of wine that had been displayed in his house was soon opened. The two of them had already finished two bottles.

Being drunk, this unfamiliar place and his closer-than-usual seating suddenly felt comfortable to her.

Questions she wouldn’t normally ask sober poured out.

“CEO, are you going to marry Cha Hye Su……”

“Why would I?”

“Huh? Weren’t you getting married? The chairman said so……”

At the mention of Hye Su’s name in connection with marriage, the elegant smile that had been lingering on his face crumpled. Ga Eul belatedly observed his reaction, wondering if she had said something she shouldn’t have.

Gi Tae let out a sigh at Ga Eul’s innocent face, looking up at him as if it was an obvious fact.

“Was my opinion ever included in that?”

“…… Then, it’s not true?”

“No, it’s not.”

His answer today was particularly resolute, which pleased her.

Ga Eul quietly suppressed her joyful feelings, worried that it might show. Trying hard to hold back the corners of her mouth that wanted to rise despite the alcohol, Ga Eul rolled her eyes again and opened her mouth. She expressed her genuine curiosity.

“Why? Cha Hye Su comes from a good family.”

“I don’t consider such things.”

“Honestly, she’s pretty too……”

At Ga Eul’s words, he openly frowned and irritably poured the remaining wine. Then, his words were unexpected, causing Ga Eul’s eyes to widen.

“You’re prettier.”

“What? M-me?”

At the sudden compliment, it felt like her blood was rushing.

As Ga Eul was trying to gauge whether he meant it sincerely, he chuckled and continued.

“Only when you listen well.”

“Ah……”

“So, listen to me.”

Ga Eul gave a wry smile.

“That’s enough. Go inside and sleep.”

“What about you?”

Yesterday, she hadn’t noticed because she was sick, but there was only one bedroom.

At Ga Eul’s question, he waved his hand at her as if telling her not to worry and just go to sleep. Unable to ask further, Ga Eul slightly nodded her head and headed to the bedroom.

When Ga Eul, who he thought would go straight to bed, opened the door and came out again, Gi Tae furrowed his brows.

Ga Eul peeked her head out and spoke.

“CEO. I don’t dislike you.”

“Okay.”

“I’m not just saying it, I really don’t dislike you.”

“……”

Dismissing Ga Eul’s repeated words as drunken rambling, he pushed her back into the room.

“I got it, so go to sleep quickly.”

As Ga Eul went in and quieted down, Gi Tae glanced at the bedroom, let out a small laugh, and laid down on the sofa.

* * *

“Rest for a while. Don’t think about painting.”

Leaving those words to Ga Eul, who had been sick, Gi Tae got in the car.

After dropping her off at the Hannam-dong mansion, he headed to the gallery.

As Gi Tae entered the gallery office, Manager Park followed him in.

“How is Ga Eul doing, sir?”

“She has gotten better, but I told her to rest for a while.”

“Ah, I see.”

Manager Park, who was about to leave with a word of relief, turned around again with an “Ah!” Then, he spoke again.

“Sir, do you remember the Leon Gallery?”

“Leon?”

Gi Tae tilted his head. It sounded vaguely familiar.

“Yes. What about Leon?”

As Gi Tae asked back, Manager Park’s expression changed from moment to moment as he mentioned Leon.

“It seems that the Leon Gallery’s financial situation wasn’t good, as they announced they are closing down this time.”

As someone in the same industry, his expression turned gloomy, but soon shone brightly.

“Perhaps trying to make a fortune by selling all the remaining paintings, the director of Leon is showcasing all the paintings he personally owned. Do you know whose paintings are included among them?”

Unlike him, who worked while frequenting department stores, Manager Park lived only in galleries in the center of Seoul, so he brought a lot of information, and through his mouth, one could hear all sorts of news.

Unlike Manager Park, whose eyes were shining, he had no interest. He had little interest in what was stored in his personal collection, and he was convinced that there would be no paintings that could meet his expectations.

“It seems that the director of Leon personally owned paintings by Yoon Dae Ho. Yoon Dae Ho’s paintings will also be included in this exhibition.”

While taking off his suit jacket and listening, Gi Tae’s hands suddenly stopped.

Yoon Dae Ho’s paintings……

The image of Ga Eul smiling sadly while thinking of her father passed through his mind.